PIERRE — The South Dakota Board of Pardons and Paroles has denied a Pierre man’s request for parole from prison. Stanley County State’s Attorney Thomas P. Maher says the Board refused to grant parole for Paul Dean Jensen. Jensen was 14 year-old when he and another teenager, 16 year-old Shawn Springer, called for a cab ride back in January of 1996. Jensen was given a 200 year sentence for the robbery, kidnapping and murder of Michael Hare in Fort Pierre. The South Dakota Supreme Court upheld the conviction in 2017. In a hearing Thursday, the parole board heard from Jensen, supporters and those opposing the request. The vote to grant parole was close at five nay, four yea. Jensen can request parole again in eight months or in January. Springer pleaded guilty to kidnapping and is serving a 261 year sentence. Springer won’t see a chance at parole until 2029.
